Spicy Vegan Black Bean Burgers with Chipotle and Coriander

These vegan black bean burgers are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional beef burgers. They're packed with flavor from chipotle powder, cumin, and fresh cilantro, and they're held together by cooked brown rice. The result is a burger that's juicy, flavorful, and satisfying, without any of the guilt.

I've always loved black bean burgers, but I've never been fully satisfied with any of the recipes I've tried. They've either been too dry, too bland, or too mushy. So I set out to create my own recipe, and after a few tries, I finally came up with one that I'm really happy with.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 10 | Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the black beans, brown rice, onion, bell pepper, cilantro, chipotle powder, cumin, and salt.
2. Mash the ingredients together with a fork or potato masher until well combined.
3. Form the mixture into 6 patties.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.
5. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.
6. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
7. Place the remaining burger patties into freezer-safe containers and freeze for later use (up to 2 weeks).

Why It Works

• The combination of black beans, brown rice, and vegetables creates a burger that's both hearty and flavorful.
• The chipotle powder and cumin give the burgers a smoky, spicy flavor.
• The fresh cilantro adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that balances out the spice.
• The cooked brown rice helps to bind the burgers together and gives them a chewy texture.
• Cooking the burgers in a skillet over medium heat ensures that they're cooked through without drying out.